The Tampa Bay Buccaneers bring in veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone from Detroit on a two-year free-agent deal.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers is adding veteran Alex Anzalone to their linebacker corps after the two sides agreed to a two-year, $17 million contract, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday.
With the former Detroit Lions starter in the fold in the first hours of free agency, Tampa Bay secured depth at a position that appears in flux, with the team awaiting word from veteran Lavonte David on whether he will play another season or retire.
Anzalone spent the past five years in Detroit, joining the team during Lions head coach Dan Campbell's inaugural season. Anzalone served as a veteran leader for Campbell, providing experience to a young, up and coming team and helping the Lions transform their culture into a winning one.
Overall, he has played in 111 games, notching 613 tackles, 13 sacks and four interceptions over his nine-year tenure.
After playing on two one-year deals, Anzalone secured a three-year extension with Detroit in 2023, earning the honor of captain and becoming the "quarterback of the defense" for Campbell, a term first used to describe Anzalone during his playing days at Florida.
However, towards the beginning of this past season, Anzalone began to express discontent about his situation in Detroit, telling media "“It’s just kind of obvious, I think,” Anzalone said about being underpaid. “Production, play, the market.”
Campbell backed up his linebacker, saying that Anzalone is "a productive player."
“You guys know how I feel about Alex, how we feel about Alex. He’s one of our dudes. We’ve leaned on him," Campbell said. "We’re going to be good, and, yes, we’re going to need him.”
He played the 2025 season despite being able to secure a contract extension, totaling 52 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception.
A reunion with Detroit grew more unlikely as the Lions began to hint towards leaning into standout linebacker Jack Campbell as the new leader of their defense.
Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard made this abundantly clear in late February, telling media, "This is Jack Campbell's defense, and everyone in that locker room knows it."
Anzalone, a former third-round pick by the New Orleans Saints, returns to the NFC South after a five-year hiatus. The nine-year veteran joins a relatively inexperienced Bucs linebacker core of Chris Braswell and Sirvocea Dennis, who have played just five seasons combined.
Anzalone brings lots of in-game reps and expertise to the table, having played in 111 games while notching 613 tackles, 13 sacks and four interceptions.
If David returns, he and Anzalone would form a formidable MIKE/WILL linebacker combo in the Bucs' scheme.
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